Omagh Harriers First ever Sports Day
When close to 50 children from the local athletics club Omagh Harriers A.C turn out to challenge for medals at the first ever sports day event the meeting organisers and club as a whole certainly should be encouraged. This was the case with the 1st ever junior athletics event held at youth sport Omagh on Wednesday 30th June. Competitive, enthusiastic and encouraging for the future would be the summation as children challenged indeed battled in perfect weather conditions for running.
Its usual on these occasions for a number of outstanding children to come to one's notice and in this case Tirnean McNamee (100, 400, long jump, 800), Colm Logue (400, long jump and 800), P.J O’Donnell (100 metre winner), Adian McGuigan (100 metre winner) Meabh McGaughey (winner of 400 metre), Clara Monan (Winner long jump), Autum (Winner 800 metre), Ciara McSorley (100, 400) Sarah Devlin (long jump, 800) and Toni Moore (100, 400) really have a bright future in the sport, among many other competitors.
Following the completion of the junior programme, a senior mile race was organised open to all club members and anyone within the Omagh area. 8 top local athletes toed the line, bang on 7pm for what turned out to be an amazing spectacle. Dubbed the ‘magic mile’ it certainly did not disappoint. With a pace maker introduced for the first two laps, ordered to go out at 1:08 lap pace, the race certainly wasn’t slow. Conor Moore was the only athlete to follow the pace maker with Jason Walsh, Kristopher Mulldoon and Mehall Mennagh biding their time. Into the third lap, Walsh caught Moore. The early fast pace by Moore perhaps costing him at this stage. However, as Walsh took the lead, Moore wasn’t in the mood to give up and showed a great turn of speed done the home straight to clinch the first ever Omagh Harriers mile title by 1 second in a time of 4:50 with Jason coming home 2nd in 4:51. 3rd was Mehall Mennagh with a very strong second half, coming in with a great P.B of 5:02, followed by Kristopher Muldoon 5:13, Marty McLaughlin 5:30, Bobby Collins 6:14 and Emmet 6:37. Unfortunately there was only one senior female, which was disappointing. Zara Moore ran brilliantly in a time of 5:39.
A word of thanks must go to everyone who give up their free time to help with numerous tasks such as the booking of the track, organising medals, the smooth running of the events and the organisation of the food e.t.c. It wouldn’t be fair to single out one person, but thank you.